Slugs.

Do other gardeners remember us all being told during those many months of persistent rain, that we would have a great problem with slugs this year. Strangely, I have never had less trouble from them. No sign of them on the strawberries,or any freshly planted young plants, such as runner beans and brassicas. I know it it hot, but surprised not to see any.

lucky you! I've just cut back a laurel hedge that had gone mad after all the rain and it was full of snails - they've gone in the recycling bin! They are still attacking my hostas too, but I think my resident hedgehog and toads may be helping out a bit. I have the impression that they are burying themselves unmderground to keep out of the heat.

What a difference a year makes. This time last year I was regularly 'catching' 40-50 slugs and snails a night, this year I've seen so few I haven't needed to go out at night at all and there's little to no damage on plants either. I do have a sneaking suspicion that this year will be known as the year of the aphid though.

I'm having more problems this year with them but have put down less blue pellets. There's loads in the recylce bin and they've got into the GH but been more sneaky, instead of munching entire leaves I'm getting small holes, so unless some other pest bores small holes, have put it down to slugs and snails.